| Musical Style: Metal / Hard Rock | Produced By: Die Happy |
| Record Label: Intense / Roxx | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1993 / 2020 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 39:50 |
Die Happy stepped up its game with the 1993 release of its aptly entitled Intense Records sophomore album Volume II. Not that the groups 1992 self-titled debut (also Intense) was in any way bad, referencing the 85% Angelic Warlord review to describe it as ‘featuring 11 equally good songs’ to traverse ‘metal and hard rock (territory) with strong groove and blues influences’. More of the same musically on Volume II (a very good thing!) but with the lone change to report the departure of bassist Roger Dale Martin and his replacement Greg Chaisson (Badlands, Red Sea). If anything, the presence of the talented Caisson serves to enhance said groove and blues elements and further drive the Die Happy sound into classic rock territory.
Volume II leaves little doubt the manner in which Die Happy has matured and come into its own musically. A full measure of this attributes to the impact of Chaisson or that soulful vocalist Robin Basauri is now a full time member as opposed to hired gun on the debut, but ultimately comes down to how Volume II was written collectively by the entire group. Gist is the more cohesive and focused group of songs with overall stronger melodies that retain the core Die Happy muscle, albeit factored out are much of the thrash aspects that previously rose to the surface. Playing an influential role with the early Die Happy sound is the fact four of its five original members were once part of acclaimed thrash act Vengeance Rising.
Similar to Die Happy, Volume II was re-mastered and re-issued in March of 2020 by Roxx Records as a limited edition Gold Disc Edition CD (300 copies) and vinyl release (200 splatter vinyl copies).. Expanded packaging (attributing to Scott Waters of No Life Till Metal) includes a professionally done mini booklet with vintage band photos alongside lyrics and liner notes in an easy to read font. Original release sounds fine for its era, but Roxx Records re-mastering (crediting Rob Colwell of Bomb works Sound) lends a dose of polish to provide added separation of instrumentation: flawlessly audible bass, full drum presence and added crunch guitar wise.
“Sticks And Stones” stands out as quintessential Die Happy with its mid-tempo groove based hard rock form. It opens to Chaisson’s distorted bass solo prior to irascible guitars rumbling in, with the cascading momentum upheld through the unfaltering verse sections and shouted backing vocal - ‘sticks and stones!’ - driven refrain. Yes, heated and more than a bit rugged, but it does not forsake hooks all the same.
With its prodigious joining of catchy groove and soulful sensibilities, “Justified” rates with the albums best. Lofty bass again provides the herculean low-end backbone, as the song fires on all cylinders with Basauri setting the impassioned tone with his high end vocal bent but also settles down for measured moments when just bass and tranquil guitars carry the beat alongside graceful vocal melodies. Lyric snippet:
But truth don't lie
I can feel it in my veins
Like I'm pushing against the grain
Gotta let the love shine in before we go insane
Words are weak
And talk is cheap
People say I'm in too deep
I've been justified
Justified by the blood
“Love Sick Dog” hearkens back to the rawer and edgier vibe to the debut with its heavier form. Straight on and no-nonsense hard rock, the song highlights the guitar team of Doug Thieme and Larry Farkus with its eager rhythm guitars and standout bluesy soloing. No, “Love Sick Dog” might not be quite catch as its two predecessors but is no less essential.
“Tear Galley” circles back to mid-tempo territory, aligning with a finesse filled bluesy metal aspect as opposed to gritty hard rock in upholding by far albums strongest melody (richly woven refrain will remain with you for some time) and understated sense of broad emotion. Musicianship remains a strength, pinpointing the cascading drums (crediting Glen Mancaruso) and intense span of lead guitar. Lyric snippet:
Darkness found it's home
Inside this wounded child
With eyes that bare a soul
Scarred by the fear that hides a smile
Where are you now
Where did you roam
Lost in the plains of my soul
Rivers of tears flow through the years
Lost in the deep six again
Fittingly designated bluesy ballad “Blue” embodies the serene and delicately woven. It deliberately flows through its first minute, luxurious with its lush low end and composed guitars but equally eloquent from how the heartfelt vocals build upon the affection at hand. At moments notice gait picks up to an inspiring tempo as the phrase ‘I’m gonna be there, I’m gonna be there with you’ is continuously repeated. Some of those as notes classic rock qualities rise to the surface in the process.
Back to forward hard rock with “Talk (Speak Your Mind)”. With a drum solo opening followed by an even joining of bass and guitars - production does not fail to impress with its crystal clear qualities - the song emanates of scintillating groove as it flows its length to prodigious mid-paced doses of grace and class. The pervasive rhythms and granulating attributes cannot help but bring to mind Chaisson’s and Basauri’s post Die Happy band Red Sea.
While not rating with the albums heaviest, “Eden” proves no less able with its melody driven vibe. The song evokes images of eloquently done hard rock - again, those classic rock nuances come into play - with ambience on high as momentum transitions between barebones guitars and airily done acoustic extracts. Love the instrumental section to see Thieme and Farkas duel between the left and right channels. Lyric snippet:
There's war in the heavens
Rebellion on high
the son of the morning
Descends from a black sky
Thunder and lightning
Shatter the night
The dragon of darkness
Appears cursed by the keeper of the Light
“Cole’s Atomic Funk Thang” is a cool - but all too short at just two minutes - instrumental that frolics to technical bass and all the catchy rhythms you could ask. Excitable lead guitar aligns with the up-tempo allure. Yes, good but due to not being given opportunity to establish itself, I would like to have seen another minute added to extend its length.
“Temple Of Soul” brings Volume II to a becoming close. As with albums better material, the song draws upon the melodic bluesy groove to make Die Happy so special: atmospheric and resonant with its distinguished verse sections but upraised at moments notice as biting guitars assert to back the reflective refrain. A plentiful instrumental section featuring added duel lead guitar helps take things past five minutes. Lyric snippet:
After all the tears have fallen
And the final sigh has been heard
She burns a candle in her silence
And though her spirit cries
She cannot speak a word
Take me to the temple of your soul
And lay by body down to rest
Up high, to the other side
To walk the paths of gold
Take me to the temple of your soul
Die Happy without doubt hit its stride on sophomore outing Volume II. Compared to Die Happy, the album takes the groove and blues elements to further heights while maintaining the core hard rock and metal guitar edges. Talent, obviously, plays no small role when factoring the veteran musicians to grace its lineup and an every bit able vocalist. That said it would have been nice if the album had included and extra song or two to match the 50-minue span to the debut. It is also a letdown Die Happy did not stay together long enough to record a follow up effort and further develop its sound. Still, if into metal and hard rock of a similar capacity then check out the aforementioned Red Sea and its dynamic 1994 release Blood. As for the Roxx Records re-issue, make it a priority purchase if you missed out on Volume II back in the day or are interested in an upgrade version with enhanced packaging and re-mastering.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Sticks And Stones” (3:55), “Justified” (3:32), “Love Sick Dog” (4:11), “Tear Galley” (5:57), “Blue” (4:18), “Talk (Speak Your Mind)” (5:29), “Eden” (5:15), “Cole’s Atomic Funk Thang” (2:05), “Temple Of Soul” (5:02)
Musicians
Robin ‘Kyle’ Basauri - Lead Vocals
Doug Thieme - Guitars
Larry Farkas - Guitars
Greg Chaisson - Bass
Glen Mancaruso - Drums
